Worth the replay?

Sunday, January 4's games ranked by how good they turned out to be: late drama, comebacks, lead swaps and overtime. No scores, no winners, so you can decide what to watch without spoilers.

Best games of the season →
  1. #1
    PenguinsatBlue Jackets
    NHL· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBig comeback
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth7/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 75

  2. #2
    UABatSouth Florida
    CBB· ESPNUOvertimeDown to the wireBig comeback
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 75

  3. #3
    FDUatSaint Francis
    CBBDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    74/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 98 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 74

  4. #4
    S IllinoisatBelmont
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    74/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 98 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 74

  5. #5
    CanadiensatStars
    NHL· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    72/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 95 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 72

  6. #6
    UICatValparaiso
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 94 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 71

  7. #7
    CreightonatSeton Hall
    CBB· PeacockDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 94 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 71

  8. #8
    ThunderatSuns
    NBADown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    70/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 93 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 70

  9. #9
    RavensatSteelers
    NFL· NBC/PeacockDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    69/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 91 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 69

  10. #10
    Cleveland StatPurdue FW
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    68/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 91 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 68

  11. #11
    BrownsatBengals
    NFL· CBSDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 90 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 67

  12. #12
    FAUatTulane
    CBB· ESPN2Down to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 88 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 66

  13. #13
    ChiefsatRaiders
    NFL· CBSDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 88 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 66

  14. #14
    CommandersatEagles
    NFL· CBSDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 88 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 66

  15. #15
    Sam HoustonatMTSU
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 88 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 66

  16. #16
    Golden KnightsatBlackhawks
    NHL· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wire
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth7/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 86 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 64

  17. #17
    RichmondatFordham
    CBB· USA NetDown to the wireBack and forth
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late11/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 85 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 64

  18. #18
    Indiana StatDrake
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 85 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 64

  19. #19
    TulsaatNorth Texas
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 85 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 63

  20. #20
    Sacred HeartatCanisius
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 84 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 63

  21. #21
    DenveratSt Thomas
    CBBDown to the wire
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 83 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 62

  22. #22
    PistonsatCavaliers
    NBADown to the wire
    B
    61/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 81 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 61

  23. #23
    PortlandatSan Francisco
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    58/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 77 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 58

  24. #24
    Wright StatIU Indy
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    58/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 77 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 58

  25. #25
    ColtsatTexans
    NFL· CBSDown to the wireBack and forth
    B
    57/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 77 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 57

  26. #26
    GrizzliesatLakers
    NBADown to the wireBig comeback
    B
    57/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late12/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 76 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 57

  27. #27
    PacersatMagic
    NBADown to the wire
    B
    57/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 76 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 57

  28. #28
    StonehillatWagner
    CBB
    B
    56/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension26/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late12/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 75 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 56

  29. #29
    Louisiana TechatWestern KY
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    56/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 75 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 56

  30. #30
    New Mexico StatMissouri St
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    54/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 72 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 54

Ranked from each game's win probability as it was played (ESPN's for football and basketball; ours, from the goals, for hockey): how in doubt it was near the end, how far the winner came back from, how late it was decided, how big its momentum swings were and how often a team erased a deficit, with a bonus for overtime. That drama is then weighted by how good a matchup it was going in (its pre-game Watchability score), so a thriller between top teams ranks above an equally wild game between minor ones.

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